Dear readers,
From December 2015, I will be updating from https://sandarastwin.wordpress.com/
See you guys there and thanks for stopping by! :)
Thursday, 24 December 2015
Tuesday, 1 December 2015
[PART 3] BTS 'RUN' Analysis: You cannot run from reality
* This is a THREE part post. Please first read Part I (I NEED YOU) and Part II (Prologue)'s analysis (Do it in sequence!)
* This is purely my own understanding of the storyline. The beauty of art is in its openness to hundreds of possible interpretations. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' theory.
*Feel free to share this if you found it helpful. However please do credit sandarastwin.blogspot.com if you do! Thank you :)
*Feel free to share this if you found it helpful. However please do credit sandarastwin.blogspot.com if you do! Thank you :)
Chapter Three: RUN
FINALLY, all mysteries of this epic series will end here.
Meaning of RUN: Running away from pain, to run back into the safety net of memories.
Remember how V leaps off the high structure into the ocean in the last scene of Prologue? The opening scene of RUN - V falling into water - is a continuation of his journey in separating his dreams from reality.
The random scenes of V underwater are not unintentional either.
Once again, he flashbacks to the happy moments and good times shared with his friends, before the tragedy.
Crucial point #1: In the midst of those scenes, some of the boys suddenly startle and stare straight into the camera. Their eyes are scared, sad, helpless, as though being hit by a devastating realisation.
Their realisation... is YOU
They see YOU, the viewer, the one who knows the truth - Jin is gone. Because you, the viewer = REALITY, the one thing they are trying to desperately escape from.
This is an interesting one. The butterfly is a reminder that it is all a dream
And the moment they realise this, they start to run again.
At the end of the day, reality is the silent killer that creeps up and shatters the thin layer of protection memories offer.
Which brings us to crucial point #2: Jungkook is the only one who is aware of this fact
a. He tries to wake Suga from his drunken depression
b. The party scene where everyone disappears, leaving JK alone, brutally exposed to reality.
c. The ending scene: JK turns around, smiles and winks at us, telling us "Hey, I understand it now too." He has accepted the reality of Jin's death.
And as for V - he too, wakes up to this fact. He opens his eyes, and comes out of the water - out of his fantasy.
CONCLUSION
This story beautifully illustrates the theme of BTS's album "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life" pt.1 and 2 - YOUTH.
In life, sometimes we lose precious things or people in uncontrollable circumstances. We can try to blame (I NEED YOU), drown ourselves in fantasy (Prologue) or run from it all (RUN), but sooner or later, reality catches up.
We lose our innocence in the process of growing up, and we make mistakes. A lot of mistakes. But even though things can never be the way they were before, the memories made will forever make youth - the most beautiful moment in life.
P.S. I am sincerely in love with this group. They are probably one of the most all-rounded artists in Kpop, from incredibly artistic songs and videos which carry relatable messages, to their explosive stage presence and mind blowing choreography. And who can forget their adorkable personalities that melt the hearts of millions of fangirls? Even as the hardcore YG stan I am, I can't help but keep a soft sport for these boys.
Now excuse me while I meditate and feed my soul with this masterpiece of an album.
FINALLY, all mysteries of this epic series will end here.
Meaning of RUN: Running away from pain, to run back into the safety net of memories.
Remember how V leaps off the high structure into the ocean in the last scene of Prologue? The opening scene of RUN - V falling into water - is a continuation of his journey in separating his dreams from reality.
The random scenes of V underwater are not unintentional either.
Once again, he flashbacks to the happy moments and good times shared with his friends, before the tragedy.
Crucial point #1: In the midst of those scenes, some of the boys suddenly startle and stare straight into the camera. Their eyes are scared, sad, helpless, as though being hit by a devastating realisation.
They see YOU, the viewer, the one who knows the truth - Jin is gone. Because you, the viewer = REALITY, the one thing they are trying to desperately escape from.
|
| This is an interesting one. The butterfly is a reminder that it is all a dream |
And the moment they realise this, they start to run again.
At the end of the day, reality is the silent killer that creeps up and shatters the thin layer of protection memories offer.
Which brings us to crucial point #2: Jungkook is the only one who is aware of this fact
a. He tries to wake Suga from his drunken depression
b. The party scene where everyone disappears, leaving JK alone, brutally exposed to reality.
c. The ending scene: JK turns around, smiles and winks at us, telling us "Hey, I understand it now too." He has accepted the reality of Jin's death.
And as for V - he too, wakes up to this fact. He opens his eyes, and comes out of the water - out of his fantasy.
CONCLUSION
This story beautifully illustrates the theme of BTS's album "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life" pt.1 and 2 - YOUTH.
In life, sometimes we lose precious things or people in uncontrollable circumstances. We can try to blame (I NEED YOU), drown ourselves in fantasy (Prologue) or run from it all (RUN), but sooner or later, reality catches up.
We lose our innocence in the process of growing up, and we make mistakes. A lot of mistakes. But even though things can never be the way they were before, the memories made will forever make youth - the most beautiful moment in life.
P.S. I am sincerely in love with this group. They are probably one of the most all-rounded artists in Kpop, from incredibly artistic songs and videos which carry relatable messages, to their explosive stage presence and mind blowing choreography. And who can forget their adorkable personalities that melt the hearts of millions of fangirls? Even as the hardcore YG stan I am, I can't help but keep a soft sport for these boys.
Now excuse me while I meditate and feed my soul with this masterpiece of an album.
[PART 2] BTS 'Prologue' Analysis: All but a dream
* This is a THREE part post. Please read Part I (I NEED YOU) before this, then Part III (RUN)'s analysis (Do it in sequence!)
* This is purely my own understanding of the storyline. The beauty of art is in its openness to hundreds of possible interpretations. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' theory.
*Feel free to share this if you found it helpful. However please do credit sandarastwin.blogspot.com if you do! Thank you :)
Chapter Two: Prologue
Chapter Two: Prologue
Prologue is a tad confusing, a blurring of lines between fact and fantasy. It picks up from the end of I NEED YOU, from V's story.
He regrets what he's done and tries to wash away the traces of his sin but fails. Helpless, he calls his Hyung, saying "나 지금 보고 싶어요" - I want to see you. Presumably, he wants to see Jin Hyung, the reason for his pain.
I'll save you the confusion: From this point on, everything is nothing but a dream. Because suddenly, everything seems to reverse back in time.
a. V teleports to an empty open area, his clothes free from bloodstains, his skin perfect.
b. All his friends return, including Jin. Jungkook says "어 진 형이다" - It's Jin Hyung. They are surprised to see Jin, a proof that he was indeed gone from their lives.
But notice how he never joins in with the rest of the boys. Notice how he is always in the sidelines, recording every moment with his camera. This is his form of redemption, for wanting to say goodbye to them for good in I NEED YOU.
Even though he isn't with them anymore, he now understands the importance of preserving their memory, appreciating their good times. He points to the the polaroid, asking "우리 여기 일까?" - Are we in here? = Asking the members if their friendship will forever remain in their memory, just like in a photograph *cue Ed Sheeran's Photograph*
b. All his friends return, including Jin. Jungkook says "어 진 형이다" - It's Jin Hyung. They are surprised to see Jin, a proof that he was indeed gone from their lives.
But notice how he never joins in with the rest of the boys. Notice how he is always in the sidelines, recording every moment with his camera. This is his form of redemption, for wanting to say goodbye to them for good in I NEED YOU.
Even though he isn't with them anymore, he now understands the importance of preserving their memory, appreciating their good times. He points to the the polaroid, asking "우리 여기 일까?" - Are we in here? = Asking the members if their friendship will forever remain in their memory, just like in a photograph *cue Ed Sheeran's Photograph*
c. The biggest giveaway: the song played in the video, Butterfly. The lyrics describe the feeling of something being too good to be true.
아직도 믿기지가 않아 I still can't believe it
이 모든 게 다 꿈인 것 같아 All of this seems like a dream
사라지려 하지마 Don't disappear
How is that simply by wishing, everyone had a second chance to relive their happy moments?
Towards the end, V begins to realise this. To test if the whole thing was a dream, he jumps into the water. I believe that he didn't literally dive to his death, but the act of plunging into the ocean is a metaphor for trying to shake himself awake.
 |
| On a side note the colours in this scene are so goddamn beautiful T_T |
And remember how BigHit sneakily and silently removed Jin's last scene? That could also be a clue pointing that the video is about an illusion, a fantasy, a wishful dream.
It's a smart move, to end the video in the midst of this climax. The drama boils down to it's final chapter - RUN (Part 3 of the analysis)
[PART 1] BTS 'I NEED YOU' Analysis: A story of Goodbyes
* This is a THREE part post. Click here to read Part II (Prologue) and Part III (RUN)'s analysis (Do it in sequence!)
* This is purely my own understanding of the storyline. The beauty of art is in its openness to hundreds of possible interpretations. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' theory.
*Feel free to share this if you found it helpful. However please do credit sandarastwin.blogspot.com if you do! Thank you :)
The first question: Who are they grieving over? A girl? The lyrics say "I need you girl" but throughout the video, there is no girl in sight.
The answer: They are grieving over Jin.
What? How? Why?
Notice carefully, there is only one person who did not engage in destructive behaviour - Jin. How do we know he is connected to the others? Easy, the MV constantly shows flashbacks scenes of BTS - Jin included - having good times together, celebrating their friendship.
Additional points to consider:
1. He is the first person to appear in the MV - implies that he is an important character.
2. He is always dressed in white, appearing in white settings. White = symbol of purity, but also the colour of death
3. At 1.39, the lyrics go "But you're my everything" and guess whose image is on screen? Yup, Jin.
During Jin's scenes, he is always holding white flowers. The meaning behind these flowers is a mystery only revealed in RUN, the third instalment of this short film-esque sequel.
The first few lines of RUN goes:
넌 내 하나뿐인 태양 세상에 딱 하나 (You are my only sun, one and only in the world)
널 향해 피었지만 난 자꾸 목말라 (I bloomed for you, but I’m still getting thirsty)
너무 늦었어 늦었어 너 없이 살 순 없어 (It’s too late, too late, I can’t live without you)
가지가 말라도 더 힘껏 손을 뻗어 (Though my branch runs dry, I reach for you with all my strength)
The story for I NEED YOU ends here, and is continued in Prologue (Part 2 of the analysis!)
* This is purely my own understanding of the storyline. The beauty of art is in its openness to hundreds of possible interpretations. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' theory.
*Feel free to share this if you found it helpful. However please do credit sandarastwin.blogspot.com if you do! Thank you :)
Chapter One: I NEED YOU
It seems like everyone is grieving over loss and looking for ways out of their suffering, by resorting to suicide and crime. They hate the person that made them feel this way, yet deep down, they still love him/her.
The first question: Who are they grieving over? A girl? The lyrics say "I need you girl" but throughout the video, there is no girl in sight.
The answer: They are grieving over Jin.
What? How? Why?
Notice carefully, there is only one person who did not engage in destructive behaviour - Jin. How do we know he is connected to the others? Easy, the MV constantly shows flashbacks scenes of BTS - Jin included - having good times together, celebrating their friendship.
Additional points to consider:
1. He is the first person to appear in the MV - implies that he is an important character.
2. He is always dressed in white, appearing in white settings. White = symbol of purity, but also the colour of death
3. At 1.39, the lyrics go "But you're my everything" and guess whose image is on screen? Yup, Jin.
During Jin's scenes, he is always holding white flowers. The meaning behind these flowers is a mystery only revealed in RUN, the third instalment of this short film-esque sequel.
The first few lines of RUN goes:
넌 내 하나뿐인 태양 세상에 딱 하나 (You are my only sun, one and only in the world)
널 향해 피었지만 난 자꾸 목말라 (I bloomed for you, but I’m still getting thirsty)
너무 늦었어 늦었어 너 없이 살 순 없어 (It’s too late, too late, I can’t live without you)
가지가 말라도 더 힘껏 손을 뻗어 (Though my branch runs dry, I reach for you with all my strength)
Hence, the flowers represent the six remaining boys.
By letting go of the flowers, and burning them, Jin is saying goodbye to his friends.
However, later in the MV, there is a brief scene of a shiny image of a flower plastered on Jin's chest. Perhaps this means that for Jin, their friendship will forever remain in his heart despite him being physically apart.
Alright, so that explains Jin's role (phewww finally!) BUT there is one more leading character in our story! That person is...*drumroll*...
Alien aka Kim Taehyung aka V
V is the bridge that links all three MVs together. In this video, he is the only character who did not cause hurt to himself, but to another person instead, by killing the man ( According to some Youtube comments I've read, it could be his father).
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